Westport, Connecticut, recently joined a small but growing number of communities to ban the use of free plastic shopping bags within its borders. The new ordinance, which goes into effect early next year, would impose a $150 fine on any store that offers such bags.
WestportNow.com reports that citizens attending the Representative Town Meeting (RTM) vote on the ban overwhelmingly supported the measure. The RTM eventually voted 26 to 5 (with one abstention) in favor of the ordinance, and also rejected a proposal that would have made the ban effective only through Sept. 19 of next year.
By Kristin Dispenza •
March 25, 2008
Banner Bank has been one of the leading institutions in Idaho to pursue LEED certification for its facilities. The Banner Bank Building itself, an 11-story art-deco structure in downtown Boise, received an LEED Platinum rating in 2006 and also won a 2007 Excellence in Design award from Environmental Design and Construction magazine. It gained national attention for implementing an unusual water reclamation system; instead of being restricted to re-using wastewater captured on its own site, the Banner Bank Building captures stormwater from seven acres of downtown roofs, streets, and parking lots.
Last month, the bank’s downtown Boise branch (which is located inside of the Banner Bank Building) was awarded LEED Gold certification. Cornerstone Design provided interior design services for the project. According to Cornerstone’s website, the goal of the client was to produce a traditional bank which maintained their existing brand image, while also adhering to LEED for Commercial Interiors standards.
Westport, Connecticut, recently joined a small but growing number of communities to ban the use of free plastic shopping bags within its borders. The new ordinance, which goes into effect early next year, would impose a $150 fine on any store that offers such bags.
